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Thursday, May 22, 2014

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR 22ND MAY, 2014 TITLED: Lending to the Lord

TOPIC: LENDING TO THE LORD

Memorise: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

READ: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 46-47; Psalm 107:33-43 Message: Many activities in life have a boomerang effect. Sowing for example is an activity that boomerangs with harvest. When you sow bountifully on a fertile ground, all things being equal, your harvest will be in abundance. The Bible enjoins us to give, because our giving will bounce back to us in a greater dimension. Luke 6:38 says:“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Being merciful is another activity with a boomerang effect (Luke 6:36). We should be merciful, especially to the poor and needy. There are many people living in affluence whose neighbours are languishing in penury. Such people cannot be described as merciful. Some wealthy leaders are guilty of exploitation. They defraud the poor and deny them of their right to basic amenities. Such actions are evil, sinful and unscriptural. What is your status? Are you comfortable, rich, wealthy or flourishing? There are many ways you can be merciful to the poor. You can give to orphanages. There are people with excess clothes, materials and goods which are not useful to them. Such materials can be given to the poor and needy. You can also identify some indigent children in your neighbourhood and be responsible for their education. If you have the means, you can set up a foundation that will ameliorate the effects of poverty in your neighbourhood. Are you a Christian politician? You are in position to lend to God by using your political influence to make life better for the poor and needy in your society.

You can champion the cause of the poor in your constituency and ensure that necessary amenities are brought to their doorsteps. There are basic amenities which the underprivileged should not be denied. These include access to qualitative and affordable education for their children and wards, good road network for the masses, making food available at an affordable rate, constant and uninterrupted electricity supply, security of lives and properties and access to good and affordable health care. When we help the poor, we lend to the Lord and we are rewarded for it. There are numerous rewards for those who lend to the Lord. Such rewards are both earthly and eternal. As God did to Hannah when she lent Samuel to Him, God will ensure that you are blessed on earth for giving assistance to the poor. The other reward is eternal. There are crowns awaiting triumphant saints in heaven, especially those who are merciful to the poor.Action Point: Draw up a sustainable plan to help the poor and downtrodden around you.

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Akinrinwa Akinbowale is a blogger, infopreneur, blog/web designer, researcher and an online tutor. He lives in Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria with his family. You can reach him on akinsquared2000@yahoo.com or call +2348035661205.